Paneer Tikka Hand Pies
Smoky tikka marinated paneer, peppers and onion in a crisp pastry parcel, a party snack with an Indian grill flavour.
Made with Tikka marinade and Shortcrust pastry. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 20
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.43 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Toss the paneer with your ready made tikka marinade (see the base recipe) and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the fridge.
30 min - 2
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Fry the paneer, pepper and onion for 6 to 8 minutes, until the paneer is golden and the vegetables are tender with a few charred edges.
7 min - 3
Stir in the lemon juice and coriander and cool completely.
- 4
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Roll out your ready made shortcrust pastry (see the base recipe) and cut 8 circles about 12 cm across.
- 5
Fill each with a spoonful of filling, brush the edges with egg, fold over and crimp with a fork. Place on a lined tray, brush with egg and cut a small slit.
- 6
Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until golden. Serve warm with mint chutney.
23 min 20 s
Tips
- Cut the paneer small so the pies are easy to fill and bite.
- Fry on a high heat for a smoky char, which mimics a tandoor.
- A spoonful of thick yoghurt in the filling keeps it juicy, if the mixture seems dry.
Storing and freezing
Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat at 180C (fan 160C) for 12 minutes until hot through. Unbaked sealed hand pies freeze for 1 month and bake from frozen in 30 minutes.
Questions
Can I use halloumi?
Yes. Halloumi holds its shape and is saltier, so skip any added salt. It does not need to be marinated for as long.
Are they vegan?
No. Paneer and the standard tikka marinade contain dairy, and the pastry contains butter. A tofu and dairy free version needs dairy free marinade and baking block.
How hot are they?
Mild to medium, depending on the marinade. Add a chopped green chilli to the filling for more heat.
More made with tikka marinade
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.